Plum tree named ‘PLUMRED XIII’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a plum tree, Prunus salicina, and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season, such as ‘Plumred III’ interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,864). The present variety produces a heavy amount of flowers that produce an abundance of pollen to entice good bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during early to mid July, with first picking on Jul. 10, 2020. The fruit is medium to large in size, dark red with fine freckling throughout in skin appearance, entirely dark red in flesh color, clingstone in type, globose to oblate in shape, firm in texture, juicy, very sweet, and excellent in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus salicina.

Varietal denomination: ‘PLUMRED XIII’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we,the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine,plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a lessernumber of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The presentinvention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree which hasbeen denominated varietally as ‘PLUMRED XIII’.

During a typical blooming season we isolate as seed parents bothindividual and groups of different plum and interspecific trees bycovering them with screen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside eachsuch house, and bouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot,and interspecific hybrid trees are placed in buckets near the treesapproximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During 2008one such house containing ‘Plumsweet IV’ interspecific tree (U.S. PlantPat. No. 16,461) was crossed by us in this manner. To pollinate thisinterspecific tree, we selected bouquets from several sources of plumtrees without keeping specific written details. Upon reaching maturitythe fruit from this interspecific tree was harvested, and the seeds wereremoved, cracked, stratified and germinated as a group with the label“H24”. They were grown as seedlings on their own root in our greenhouseand upon reaching dormancy transplanted to a cultivated area of ourexperimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (SanJoaquin Valley). During the summer of 2012 the claimed variety wasselected by us as a single plant from the group of seedlings describedabove. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of plum tree, weasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original tree in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent ‘Plumsweet IV’interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,461), by beingself-unfruitful and by producing fruit that is firm and very sweet, butis quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is full redinstead of a mottled yellow and red two-tone in skin color, that is muchdarker red in flesh color, and that ripens about forty-five daysearlier.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Plumred VII’ interspecific tree(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,688), by being self-unfruitful and by producingfruit that is fairly globose in shape, dark red in its primary skincolor, completely red in flesh color, firm in texture, juicy, verysweet, excellent in flavor, and clingstone in type, but is distinguishedtherefrom by producing fruit that is somewhat larger in size, that hasonly a moderate amount of very fine freckling instead of a heavy amountof greenish yellow colored freckling in the skin appearance, and thatmatures about ten days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present plum variety is characterized by a medium size, vigorous,hardy, and fairly productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the presentvariety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, orplum that blooms during the mid season, such as ‘Plumred III’interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,864). The present varietyproduces a heavy amount of flowers that produce an abundance of pollento entice good bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit maturesunder the ecological conditions described during early to mid July, withfirst picking on Jul. 10, 2020. The fruit is medium to large in size,dark red with fine freckling throughout in skin appearance, entirelydark red in flesh color, clingstone in type, globose to oblate in shape,firm in texture, juicy, very sweet, and excellent in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, a tip shoot growth, typical leaves,and two insets depicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appearedon the tree during the blooming season.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of plum tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description wasdeveloped at the state of shipping ripe on Jul. 10, 2020, on theoriginal tree during its twelfth growing season. The flower and buddescriptions were developed during the previous blooming season. Allmajor color code designations are by reference to the Inter-SocietyColor Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are alsoused occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: Plumsweet IV (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,461) interspecific    tree.-   Pollen parent: Unknown plum.

TREE

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and    a spread of 7′ [2.13 m.] after twelve growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 4′ [1.22 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Upright and dense.-   Form: Pruned to a vase form.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning usually necessary.-   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a    suitable early seasonal blooming apricot, interspecific, or plum,    such as ‘Plumred III’ interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No.    20,864).-   Bearing: A fairly consistent bearer, weather dependent, has observed    to be light following a rainy bloom season.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4¼″ [107.95            mm.] after the twelfth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium to shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Moderate brown            [58. m.Br] variegation with Dark brown [59. d.Br] crevices            present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4            mm.] in length. The width is typically one fourth as much as            the length. Shape: Elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium, scaffold diameter is 2½″ [63.5 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, limb diameter is 1″ [25.4 mm.]            measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Medium on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Strong yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Moderate brown            [58. m.Br] variegation with Strong brown [55. s.Br] crevices            present.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 20 on second year            wood. Color: Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr]. Average            Size: Medium, 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] in length. The width is            typically one fourth as much as the length. Shape:            Elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average Length: 5″ [127.0 mm.].            Average Width: 2¼″ [57.2 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute with an average base angle of 75 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 11/16″ [17.5 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Pale yellow green [121.            p.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green            [119. l.YG] becoming Light brown [57. l.Br] with age.        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Alternate,            positioned at the intersection of the petiole and base of            leaf blade. Form: Globose. Size: Medium, 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] in            diameter. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG] becoming            Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] in the center with age.            Leaf buds: Pointed.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            blooming season.        -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Free, not touching.        -   Surface.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Tip color.—White [263. White].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    about thirty stamens, five sepals and petal locations alternately    positioned.    -   -   Average flower diameter.—1 3/16″ [30.2 mm.].        -   Average flower depth.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.] when fully open.        -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.        -   Petal shape.—Oval to very widely obovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, somewhat wavy.        -   Petal arrangement.—Not overlapping.        -   Average petal diameter.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Slightly acute.        -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Moderate yellow [87. m.Y].        -   Pollen production.—Strong, enticing to bees.        -   Stigma color.—Brilliant greenish yellow [98. brill.gY].        -   Stigma position.—Located slightly above the average anther            position.        -   Stamen position.—Typically located about 1/32″ [0.8 mm]            below the petals.        -   Sepal color.—Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] on the            outside, Light yellow green [119. l.YG] on the inside.        -   Sepal outer surface.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Sepal length.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and            length.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.        -   Average pistil length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Ovary.—Smooth.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Pollen production.—Strong, bee enticing.        -   Bloom density.—Moderate.        -   Number per cluster.—2 to 5, mostly 2.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, about three days before ‘Santa            Rosa’ plum (unpatented).        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 19, 2020.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 2, 2020.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Shipping ripe, Jul. 10, 2020.-   Date of first picking: Jul. 10, 2020.-   Date of last picking: Jul. 30, 2020.-   Size: Uniform, medium to large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2⅝″ [66.7 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—6.7 ounces [190 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose to oblate, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to somewhat oblate.        -   Axial view form.—Round.-   Suture: A shallow trough extending from the base to near the apex.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped on both sides.-   Lips: Fairly equal.-   Cavity: Flaring.    -   -   Depth.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1 1/16″ [27.0 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous Grayish greenish yellow [105. gy.gY]    dot, somewhat depressed within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/32″ [2.4 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Moderate.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Deep purplish red [256. deep pR] smoothly blending            into Deep red [13. deep R] with very fine Grayish greenish            yellow [105. gy.gY] freckling throughout.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] throughout.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Very deep purplish red            [257. v.deep pR] fibers when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Abundant, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Fine.        -   Ripens.—Fairly even.        -   Flavor.—A tasty blend of acid in the skin with sweet flesh,            typically 21 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow.-   Base: Rounded.-   Apex: Acute.-   Tip: Sharp, about ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] in length.-   Sides: Fairly equal.-   Surface: Fairly smooth with rounded ridges toward the base.-   External color of stone: Brownish orange [54. brO].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].-   Cavity surface color: Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].-   Average pit wall thickness: ⅛″ [3.2 mm.].-   Average length: ⅞″ [22.2 mm.].-   Average width: ⅝″ [15.9 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Pellicle color.—Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average width.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of plum tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree, Prunus salicina,substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to‘Plumred VII’ interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,688), by beingself-unfruitful and by producing fruit that is fairly globose in shape,dark red in its primary skin color, completely red in flesh color, firmin texture, juicy, very sweet, excellent in flavor, and clingstone intype, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is somewhatlarger in size, that has only a moderate amount of very fine frecklinginstead of a heavy amount of greenish yellow colored freckling in theskin appearance, and that matures about ten days earlier.